LAS VEGAS ó Tempest Storm is fuming. Her fingers tremble with frustration. They are aged, knotted by arthritis and speckled with purple spots under paper skin.

http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/norm/tempest-storm.jpg

But the manicure of orange polish is flawless and new, and matches her signature tousled mane.

She brushes orange curls out of her face as she explains how sheís been slighted.

She is the headliner, you know. She is a star. She is classy.

"I donít just get up there and rip my clothes off," she says.

Indeed, the 80-year-old burlesque queen takes her clothes off very slowly.

More than 50 years ago she was dubbed the "Girl with the Fabulous Front" and told by famous men she had the "Best Two Props in Hollywood." Since then, Storm has seen the art that made her famous on the brink of extinction. Her contemporaries ó Blaze Starr, Bettie Page, Lili St. Cyr ó have died or hung up the pasties.

Her act is a time capsule. She knows nothing of poles. She would never put her derriere in some manís face. Her prop of choice is a boa, perhaps the occasional divan.

It takes four numbers, she says adamantly, four numbers to get it all off. To do it classy.

But the producers of tonightís show, just kids, they want her to go faster. She gets just seven minutes.

"I did seven minutes when I started," she says.

They gave her trouble last year, too. They even cut her music before she finished.

There may not be a next time for this show, she says. The threat lasts just minutes.

"No, no. Iím not ready to hang up my G-string, yet. Iíve got too many fans that would be disappointed."

Stardom and fandom feature prominently in Tempest Stormís life ó and in her neat, two-bedroom Las Vegas apartment.

Visitors are greeted by photos of a young Elvis, her favourite rock íní roller and, she says, a former lover.

He met her after her show in Las Vegas and fiddled with her skirt as he introduced himself. The relationship ended about a year later because Elvisí manager didnít approve of him dating a stripper, she says.

But she could not change who she was. Stripping already had made her famous.

It put her in the room with Hollywoodís heavyweights. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Mickey Rooney, Nat King Cole.

She dated some, just danced for others. The evidence is framed and displayed on tables and the living room wall.

Thatís Storm and Vic Damone. Storm teaching Walter Cronkite to dance. Storm and her fourth and last husband, Herb Jefferies, a star of black cowboy films who swept her off her feet in 1957 when such unions were instant scandals. They divorced in 1970.

"When I look at this picture I say, ĎWhat the hell happened between this gorgeous couple?í " she says.

The moment is brief.

Storm is rarely wistful. She has no doubt she still is what she once was. Although she performs just a handful of times a year, she would do more, if asked. She chides those who think age takes a toll on sex appeal.

"Ridiculous," she says.

There are just as many recent photos in the room: Storm and her daughter, a nurse in Indiana. Storm and her fiance, who died a few years ago. Storm and a beaming older gentlemen, just a fan who approached her for a photograph.

In others, the petite beauty with the long lashes and glamorous hair is alone, out of focus, in full makeup and smiling wide. In one, she is perched on her living room couch in a red hat and low-cut black suit.

"I took that picture of myself," she says proudly. "I have a self-timer. I took these, too."

"That stage saved me," she says as she leaves a sound check hours before the nightís performance.

She had been expecting a much smaller space and she is relieved. Sheís a "walker," she explains. She needs room to move.

It is a direct and once-racy style, the signature work of Lillian Hunt, the choreographer at the Follies Theater in Los Angeles where Storm became a star.

She was Annie Blanche Banks then. The 22-year-old sharecropperís daughter had fled sexual abuse, two loveless marriages and poverty in small-town Georgia, she says.

She was working as a cocktail waitress but wanted to be a showgirl. First, she needed her teeth fixed.

"Do you think my bust is too big for this business?" she asked Hunt at her audition.

Hunt put her in the chorus line, told her not to gain a pound and called a dentist.

In Stormís telling, she didnít stay long in the background. She got a new name. ("I really donít feel like a Sunny Day.") She took to the spotlight quickly. Then and now, she blossomed to the chorus of hoots and cheers.

The trick is having a warm presence, an inviting smile, she says.

When she takes the stage, she lets her mind float back to "Georgie." She imagines herself as a little girl, in her best dress, running down the road to meet her daddy coming home from work.

"I feel that I am that little girl dressed up out there. I got a picture in my whole mind of it. I can see that little girl," she says.

On stage, the image is frozen there.

But itís not the end of the story Storm tells. If she plays out the memory, the little girl is stopped in her tracks as an aunt blurts out a truth that pains her today.

"Thatís not your real father."

On Sundays, Storm tunes in to a televangelist who tells her anyone can overcome odds. Itís the only religion sheís ever taken to.

She believes this is the lesson of her life. Be a survivor. Never stop doing what you love, it makes you who you are.

"If you want to get old, youíll get old," she says.

She sits on her couch and exercises in front of the television on a small stationary bike. She doesnít smoke or drink or eat much.

"Iím just blessed, I think. And I know when to push myself away from the table."

If some might see all this as chasing after lost youth, she says she cares little. Younger dancers tell her she is an inspiration to them, and she has no reason not to believe them.

"I feel good about myself. And I enjoy it," she says. "I have fun when Iím onstage, and the audience loves it. Nobody ever said itís time to give it up. Why stop?"

Indeed, no one is dreaming of telling Tempest Storm to give up stripping when she slithers onto the casino nightclub stage for her seven minutes.

"Something in the way she moves . . ." pipes through the speakers. Her live drummer, the Ringo Starr on loan from the Beatles tribute show on the Strip, picks up the beat.

The burlesque queen emerges stage right. A slinky purple gown hangs off her shoulders. A rhinestone necklace envelops her decolletage. The snakelike boa pours into her hands.

For a few seconds, her face flashes her nerves.

And then she hears the cheers.

When she performs, Storm smiles, leans back and walks on her heels, leading with her pelvis. Her hands float back and forth as if in water, until they fall below her hips and sweep up in tandem with a full frontal thrust.

More cheers. Whistles.

The boa disappears stage right.

The next number picks up the tempo, letting Storm cock a hip on the down beats. She loses the gloves and steps off stage to put on the negligee. Itís gone almost as quickly as it came.

And with two flicks of her orange fingernails, the dress goes, too.

Two-finger whistle. Hollers. Applause.

Staring up at the 80-year-old woman in fishnets, a sheer rhinestone bra and a G-string, a young woman turns to a young man and declares:

I love this story. It shows that the old adage "do what you love and the rest will follow" really does apply for some. She's the last of the great burlesque queens. It's an art form. You may not agree with the morality of it but it's a dying art form.

I think most os us will be lucky to walk into a strip club when we're 80!
Keep going Storm!

graeme

07.15.08, 06:58 AM

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little...

Right there. 2 girls one cup is easier than this horror story........

Ace Ventura

07.15.08, 07:02 AM

Right there. 2 girls one cup is easier than this horror story........

I heard rumors about this "2 girls, one cup" thing but was afraid of what it might do to me emotionally! Never checked it out...

Kimmie5150

07.15.08, 07:34 AM

This story makes me think just because you can, doesn't mean you should.....Y'all know what I'm sayin.....like just because they make thongs in every size doesn't mean every woman should wear one.

Goldustgrl

07.15.08, 07:48 AM

:thumb: Excellent point, Kimmie.

She looks damn good for her age, but she'd look much better with her clothes on.

graeme

07.15.08, 07:50 AM

I heard rumors about this "2 girls, one cup" thing but was afraid of what it might do to me emotionally! Never checked it out...

I had never watched it until yesterday. It IS pretty bad but if you can make it through the whole one minute and change you do feel a certain sense of achievement. Some celeb said it was like a rodeo: Just try to hang on.

The reactions on youtube are the funniest thing about this whole phenomena though. There are hundreds. One of a couple of teens, I think it's subtitled "2 girls 1 cup. The best. Period" is hilarious.

btw. I guess it depends where you work, but I would probably say it wasn't that work friendly.

Kimmie5150

07.15.08, 07:50 AM

:thumb: Excellent point, Kimmie.

She looks damn good for her age, but she'd look much better with her clothes on.

Exactly!! :thumb:

ZeoBandit

07.15.08, 08:00 AM

This story makes me think just because you can, doesn't mean you should.....Y'all know what I'm sayin.....like just because they make thongs in every size doesn't mean every woman should wear one.

Thongs are like spandex: They are a priviledge, not a right.

Kimmie5150

07.15.08, 08:10 AM

Thongs are like spandex: They are a priviledge, not a right.

Well of course on women, but I can honestly say that I have no desire whatsoever to see any man in a thong. I don't care how ripped his body is, that is just TOO WRONG!!

That woman looks great for her age, but I think she'd be much more appealing if she kept certain things covered up. No one needs to see all of her goods.

ZeoBandit

07.15.08, 08:17 AM

Yes. Thongs on a man are a huge no-no. That is an established Man Law.

i1sum2!

07.15.08, 09:06 AM

That woman looks great for her age, but I think she'd be much more appealing if she kept certain things covered up. No one needs to see all of her goods.

Honestly, she does look alright for her age. I'm sure that by stripping all her life, it kept her young. And, I'll bet ya that there's some old timers out there who still get a woody when they see all of her!:D

hatchetforce

07.15.08, 09:12 AM

I'll bet ya that there's some old timers out there who still get a woody when they see all of her!:D

OK......................... now that is just gross. In all fairness she does look good for 80. BUT she needs to cover up her bits and pieces. It's just wrong....

Aside from all the other gross things about thongs... well... they have a very "dirty" side effect. Not healthy for girls especially. They are OK for a little dress up but not as a lifestyle... stuff travels around down there on that "line"... if you are worried about VPL just go commando. Much more sanitary
OK enough
I've grossed myself out and made myself feel like I might want to puke! Sorry.........:barf:

i1sum2!

07.15.08, 01:33 PM

Wonder if she has to roll them up when she's done with her act? Kinda like rolling your own smokes.:D

SLEEPER5150

07.15.08, 01:43 PM

Wonder if she has to roll them up when she's done with her act? Kinda like rolling your own smokes.:D
Now I've never seen anyone roll up beaver tails. Not sure I wanna. I regret thinking about it. And I know I'm gonna regret this too, but EVHGirl? call me naive, but what is VPL? The V I get The P and the L not so much!
You can PM me if necesary.
Here we go!!!! Waiting...........with baited breath!

i1sum2!

07.15.08, 01:49 PM

Ha Ha! Beaver tails, never heard 'em called that before. EVHGal, I'm all for girls going commando in order to avoid VPL, whatever that is.

EVHgirl in Va

07.15.08, 01:51 PM

Ha Ha! Beaver tails, never heard 'em called that before. EVHGal, I'm all for girls going commando in order to avoid VPL, whatever that is.

Visible Panty Lines..... geez...... the things I have to explain to men..... and yes my husband, too. I just asked him if he knew what VPL was

and he went "huh"? :confused:

billy007

07.15.08, 02:00 PM

kinda like VPC for guys, you know, but not quite...

SLEEPER5150

07.15.08, 02:02 PM

Visible Panty Lines..... geez...... the things I have to explain to men..... and yes my husband, too. I just asked him if he knew what VPL was

and he went "huh"? :confused:
Wow!!!!! I was way off on the"V" too! I gotta get my mind out of the gutter or something, and soon!:drunk:

VegasVic

07.15.08, 02:06 PM

kinda like VPC for guys, you know, but not quite...

Well, I knew what VPL was, but can't think of what VPC could be. Care to enlighten me?

i1sum2!

07.15.08, 02:09 PM

Wow!!!!! I was way off on the"V" too! I gotta get my mind out of the gutter or something, and soon!:drunk:

I was way off base too! I had something else in mind as well. Learn something new everyday.

SLEEPER5150

07.15.08, 02:13 PM

Well, I knew what VPL was, but can't think of what VPC could be. Care to enlighten me?
I don't know either, but me thinks I'll be sleeping with the light on for the next few nights! I'm scared!:scared:

SLEEPER5150

07.15.08, 02:16 PM

I was way off base too! I had something else in mind as well. Learn something new everyday.

Good! Glad to hear I'm not the only one. Personally I think we were baited into that one!

billy007

07.15.08, 03:06 PM

Well, I knew what VPL was, but can't think of what VPC could be. Care to enlighten me?

"Visible Plumber Crack"! :D

EVHgirl in Va

07.15.08, 04:57 PM

Good! Glad to hear I'm not the only one. Personally I think we were baited into that one!

I promise I was not baiting :D ....it is something women say ALL THE TIME. Like at the gym, you get dressed in the locker room and turn to your friend and say VPL? and they answer yea or nay. Didn't crossed my pretty little mind that you guys might not know that. It was just another guy/girl thing I suppose :D

Daisy Hill

07.15.08, 05:26 PM

"Visible Plumber Crack"! :D

Oh, OK, we just call it the coin slot

Texas Poundcake

07.15.08, 06:53 PM

Right there. 2 girls one cup is easier than this horror story........

OMG NOOO WAYYY is that easier! I couldn't get past the first few seconds of that! I have to give this woman props! I hope I feel good enough about myself at that age to do that if I wanted to!

h*bunter

07.15.08, 07:07 PM

Does anyone know if she shaves her vaginal area?

SLEEPER5150

07.16.08, 04:55 AM

I promise I was not baiting :D ....it is something women say ALL THE TIME. Like at the gym, you get dressed in the locker room and turn to your friend and say VPL? and they answer yea or nay. Didn't crossed my pretty little mind that you guys might not know that. It was just another guy/girl thing I suppose :D

Ok! Another day older, another day wiser. See kids? not only is the links a fun place to hang, it's educational too!

Kimmie5150

07.16.08, 05:03 AM

Honestly, she does look alright for her age. I'm sure that by stripping all her life, it kept her young. And, I'll bet ya that there's some old timers out there who still get a woody when they see all of her!:D

Lol...Well I'm sure she still gives some old geezers a woody, but it might be better if she'd just give them private parties instead of flaunting everything for the world to see......you know, let people make the choice of viewing her goods or not. :D

i1sum2!

07.16.08, 06:57 AM

Lol...Well I'm sure she still gives some old geezers a woody, but it might be better if she'd just give them private parties instead of flaunting everything for the world to see......you know, let people make the choice of viewing her goods or not. :D

You do have a point, but, she probably knows she can make more money doing that at a known club, especially in a place like Vegas. I'd bet she still makes the bucks despite her age and that's why she keeps doing it. Plus, I'm sure she has her own fans too, believe that or not! Granted, their all probably her age, but still. Show business is in her blood and she ain't gonna stop now. You should see some old Cabaret dancers cobbled up feet. That still don't stop them from doing what they love to do.

Kimmie5150

07.17.08, 06:43 AM

You do have a point, but, she probably knows she can make more money doing that at a known club, especially in a place like Vegas. I'd bet she still makes the bucks despite her age and that's why she keeps doing it. Plus, I'm sure she has her own fans too, believe that or not! Granted, their all probably her age, but still. Show business is in her blood and she ain't gonna stop now. You should see some old Cabaret dancers cobbled up feet. That still don't stop them from doing what they love to do.

Ah ok, I see what you're saying Sum. Good point!!

VegasVic

07.17.08, 01:39 PM

Lol...Well I'm sure she still gives some old geezers a woody, but it might be better if she'd just give them private parties instead of flaunting everything for the world to see......you know, let people make the choice of viewing her goods or not. :D

So they are currently forcing people to watch her strip?

Yesterdays

07.17.08, 08:56 PM

Lol...Well I'm sure she still gives some old geezers a woody, but it might be better if she'd just give them private parties instead of flaunting everything for the world to see......you know, let people make the choice of viewing her goods or not. :D

I think you may be missing the point. She's the last of the old time burlesque strippers. This bears no resemblance to the nudies on a pole that goes on in strip clubs nowadays. This is a show. A tease, You take one finger of a glove off with your teeth, then another, then another and finally you run that glove over your lips and throw it to the gentleman in the front. These types of strips can take hours. It's a slow dance with the audience. The nudity is just the icing on the cake.

To see what I mean, take out the movie, "Gypsy" with Rosalind Russell and Natalie Wood. It's a great musical. If you don't want to watch the whole thing, though it's a great movie, fast forward to the scene in which Natalie Wood does her routine for the first time.

That's what this woman does. She's the last one. Her audience is probably not all old geezers. I bet it's made up of showgirls and those who just want a good show. It's not what you're suggesting. That would be like going to an R-rated movie, ignoring the plot and just waiting for the girls to show their breasts.

Kimmie5150

07.18.08, 04:02 AM

I think you may be missing the point. She's the last of the old time burlesque strippers. This bears no resemblance to the nudies on a pole that goes on in strip clubs nowadays. This is a show. A tease, You take one finger of a glove off with your teeth, then another, then another and finally you run that glove over your lips and throw it to the gentleman in the front. These types of strips can take hours. It's a slow dance with the audience. The nudity is just the icing on the cake.

To see what I mean, take out the movie, "Gypsy" with Rosalind Russell and Natalie Wood. It's a great musical. If you don't want to watch the whole thing, though it's a great movie, fast forward to the scene in which Natalie Wood does her routine for the first time.

That's what this woman does. She's the last one. Her audience is probably not all old geezers. I bet it's made up of showgirls and those who just want a good show. It's not what you're suggesting. That would be like going to an R-rated movie, ignoring the plot and just waiting for the girls to show their breasts.

No, I'm not missing the point, I totally get that part....oh, you and Vic don't understand what I was trying to say....Sum does, oh..........nevermind.

Kimmie5150

07.18.08, 05:26 AM

Does anyone know if she shaves her vaginal area?

Lol....h*bunter, I've just gotta know, would you honestly, truly want to know if she shaves or not? And if so, why?

loveevhsince79

07.18.08, 07:54 PM

I love this story. Good for her to be 80 and still be doing something that she loves. She must still be drawing in customers too or they would probably tell her to stay home. Yeah, we might not want to see her but if someone else does, more power to them.

Eddie Rocks!!!

07.21.08, 10:55 AM

Good for her, and if people didn't want to see that, they wouldn't go there. I'm sure they know what days everyone is dancing. I just hope I'm still alive at 80.

Daisy Hill

07.21.08, 11:16 AM

Yep she can still do a "bump and grind" unfortunately the grind is the sound of her artificial hip going bad.

Oh well, if she puts tennis balls on the feet of her walker, it will take the squeek out of her shuffle.....hey! I wonder if she ever ordered itch cream from Amazon?